What is rotavirus infection and how to get rid of it

What is Rotavirus

So doctors call the extremely infectious virus Rotavirus - Symptoms and causes, which causes inflammation of the stomach, intestines and diarrhea.

Rotaviruses look like a cogwheel under the microscope. For this similarity, they got their name: rota from Latin - "wheel".

They most often attack children under the age of 5 Rotavirus: Symptoms, Transmission, and Treatment. And they do it very actively: rotaviruses are the most common cause of diarrhea in children all over the world, and the number of deaths from rotavirus infection exceeds Rotavirus - Symptoms and causes 200 thousand per year.

Adults can become infected too. But their disease is much easier than that of infants, with less severe symptoms.

What are the symptoms of rotavirus infection

Typically, the virus makes itself felt within two days after infection.

The first symptoms are vomiting and a sharp rise in temperature, sometimes up to 40 ℃ and more. Because of this fever, rotavirus infection is sometimes called intestinal flu. But this is not entirely correct: rotavirus has nothing to do with influenza viruses.

Further, other signs join:

Watery diarrhea. It can appear within 3-8 days until the body cope with the infection.
Twisting pain in the abdomen.
Weakness.
Sometimes runny nose and sore throat.

When to see a doctor urgently

Call the pediatrician or, depending on the child's condition, call Rotavirus - Symptoms and causes an ambulance if:

Severe diarrhea lasts more than a day.
There is frequent vomiting.
The stool is black or has streaks of blood, pus.
The temperature is over 40 ℃. Or if an increased (even minimal) temperature is observed in children under six months.
You see signs of dehydration: crying without tears, little or no urination, dry mouth, pale skin, sunken eyes, lethargy, extreme sleepiness.

Adults, although less susceptible to "intestinal flu", can also be seriously affected, primarily from dehydration. They are advised to contact a therapist as soon as possible with the following symptoms:

no urination for a day or longer;
diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours;
there is blood in stool or vomit;
the temperature rises to 39.4 ℃ or more;
there are clear signs of dehydration: intense thirst, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness.

How to treat rotavirus infection

There are no tablets for this infection Rotavirus - Diagnosis and treatment. Antibiotics and known antiviral agents are powerless. Therefore, all that the doctor will suggest you is symptomatic and supportive treatment. That is, one that will reduce the manifestations of the disease and support the body in its independent fight against infection.

The most important thing is to stay hydrated. This is the main recommendation that applies to both adults and children.

Because of vomiting, weakness and sore throat, children often refuse to drink. Therefore, the task of parents is to convince and insist. Alternatively, offer What Is Rotavirus to your child to suck on ice cubes or ice shavings. Drinks with ginger and pure sparkling water are also good.

But apple juice, milk, sweet soda, energy drinks should be discarded. They can worsen diarrhea and end up doing more harm than good.

Antidiarrheal medications are not recommended during rotavirus infection.

If your child has severe diarrhea that lasts for several days, ask your pediatrician for an oral rehydration solution. It is often a powder that is dissolved in water. It contains substances that help restore the water-salt balance and compensate for micronutrients lost by the body.

We repeat once again: if all else fails, the child refuses to drink and you observe symptoms of dehydration (they are listed above), call an ambulance. Such conditions may require intravenous fluids in a hospital.

How to protect yourself from rotavirus infection

Rotavirus is present in the feces of an infected person, and appears in it a few days before the first symptoms and remains up to 10 days after they disappear. If you wash your hands poorly after going to the toilet, and then touch them on the doorknob, phone, handrail in public transport, toys, dishes, food, the virus will live Pediatric Infectious Disease: Part II, An Issue of Infectious Disease Clinics of North America on these items from a couple of hours to several days.

For further spread, it is necessary for another person to touch the same things, and then bring unwashed fingers to their mouth (or, say, eat an unwashed apple occupied by a rotavirus). Actually, therefore, "intestinal flu" is called the disease of unwashed hands, most often the virus is transmitted if hygiene standards are not observed.

There are only two ways to reduce your risk of contracting rotavirus.

1. Wash your hands often

Thoroughly, according to all the rules - always with soap and at least 15 seconds. If soap and water are not nearby, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

And of course, don't put unwashed food in your mouth.

2. Get vaccinated against rotavirus (recommendation for infants)

In the Russian Federation, oral vaccine is used for the prevention of rotavirus infection in children. It does not require an injection, but is taken in the form of drops. Three doses are needed to develop immunity. Moreover, all of them are recommended to be received between 6 and 32 weeks of age: for example, the first dose at 2 months, the second and third at 3 and 4, 5 (or 4, 5 and 6) months, respectively. The effectiveness of vaccination at a younger and older age has not been proven.

Vaccination is not mandatory and does not guarantee 100% protection against rotavirus. However, thanks to her, if the child does get sick, he will endure the "intestinal flu" much easier.